New York – Every Little Leaguer knows baseball is won with pitching and defense.
That the team that chucks and catches the best will finish its season bathing in champagne.
But, in truth, many of us are suckers for sluggers, enjoy seeing a pitcher turned into a left-out cantaloupe, lumpy and bruised. The Yankees are nothing if not a clobber crew. They pounded the Detroit Tigers 8-4 on a warm Tuesday evening at Yankee Stadium in the opening game of their American League division series.
“It’s Murderers’ Row,” joked Tigers manager Jim Leyland. “And Cano.”
The Yankees’ starting lineup featured nine players with a combined 42 All-Star Game appearances. They have the first double-play combination – shortstop Derek Jeter and second baseman Robinson Cano – with batting averages higher than .340. And Cano bats ninth.
Jeter could hit anywhere and not be miscast. He went 5-for-5, including an eighth-inning home run, as the catalyst of a 14-hit barrage.
“That’s why we call him Captain Clutch,” Cano said.
It was Tigers starter Nate Robertson who drew the short straw against these big sticks.
Leyland took exception with those describing this matchup as the “freshmen scrimmaging the varsity team.” But Robertson looked overmatched in an ugly five-run third inning. With Johnny Damon and Jeter aboard – he finished his night to chants of “M-V-P!” – Bobby Abreu opened the onslaught with a double to right field.
Jason Giambi homered moments later, providing a lead even the Yankees’ vulnerable middle relievers could protect. It’s interesting how this team is perceived in a city that never sleeps and eats up all things Yankees. To hear talk show hosts and cabbies tell it, the Yankees’ ability to survive without Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield was the greatest miracle since the hockey kids in upstate Lake Placid.
Somehow they needle-pointed a lineup together by acquiring Abreu, who makes $13.6 million – or $1.4 million less than the Florida Marlins’ entire payroll.
Abreu makes the Yankees’ lineup work better. He’s Chuck Knoblauch – unbelievably patient as he led baseball in walks – with more power. Abreu extended the Yankees’ lead to 7-3 in the sixth inning with his third and fourth RBIs.
“I had no doubt. I feel fine here,” Abreu said.
The Tigers, who have lost 32 of their past 51 games, picked away at the Yankees’ history their players spoke so glowingly about. Craig Monroe and Curtis Granderson homered and Sean Casey, making his first postseason appearance, delivered an RBI double.
On most nights, 12 hits and four runs wins a playoff game. It would have been enough if either of the other two played Tuesday. But the Tigers are playing the Yankees.
This is a franchise that hasn’t won a world title since 2000. The previous five versions leaned more on pitching. This team doesn’t bother with finesse. These Yankees want to mash opponents to death.
“It’s not like you’re facing A-Rod and see Giambi on deck and say, ‘Yeah, great.”‘ Robertson said. “I had no fear, but there’s no break in that lineup.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
